One of Golf’s Most Destructive Swing Flaws

It’s known by various names: early extension, pelvic thrust, even “humping” the ball in some circles. What these terms describe is a premature motion of the lower body/pelvis toward the golf ball. In my opinion, there are not many moves in a golf swing more destructive than this one.

When the pelvis thrusts out toward the golf ball, One, or all, of the following can occur: 

• A loss of posture.

• A severe loss of ability to leverage the ground properly.

• The inability to swing the club through impact with any kind of proper arc.

• “Standing the club up,” which means that the hands will come in well above where they started at address.

• Inconsistent contact on the face of the club.

• Inconsistent attack angle into the golf ball.

There are several reasons a player might develop this habit, but the most common is an early release of the club well before impact. When a golfer releases the club too early (also known as casting or club head throwaway), he/she will hit “fat” shots (hitting the ground before the ball). This is also known as lack of “lag,” a term meaning to hold the wrist angles later in the downswing. To compensate for this casting the player finds it necessary to raise the handle of the club to make room for the early release and avoid hitting the ground. In fact, it is very predictable that this is a result of releasing too soon. 

If you suffer from this move, here’s a drill to help: Try hitting some balls with an aim stick behind you, touching your rear end. Start without a club, and then progress to a few easy swings with a club. Gradually build to partial swings with a ball until you feel comfortable hitting full shots. See if you can feel the lower body using the ground and staying under you.

At first, you might feel as though the pelvis is pulling away from the ball, but I guarantee that it won’t be. As well, you may hit several fat shots at first, but staying with this can get you to develop a later release (more lag).

Even at home, you can take an address position with your rear against a wall and make some arm swings without a club. It will feel much different but may create a kinesthetic awareness of how the best golfers in the world create a position that allows for consistent ball striking.